PARKERSBURG — Four incumbents will be running unopposed for their seats as Wood County magistrates, while six candidates have filed for the newly reopened fifth magistrate seat for Wood County.

The unopposed incumbents include Jody Purkey (Division 1), Brenda Marshall (Division 2), Robin Waters (Division 3) and Joe Kuhl (Division 4).

The candidates running for Division 5 include: Heather Scott Campbell, Maryann Copeland, Debbie Hendershot, Don Lindsey, Lisa Lyons and Barry Murphy.

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Heather Scott Campbell

* Age: 53

* Residence: Parkersburg

* Occupation: magistrate assistant

* Past offices: none

Campbell said she decided to run for office at this time for many reasons. She has served Wood County for 22 years as a magistrate assistant to Magistrate Brenda Marshall and would like to have a stronger role in serving the community. The new magistrate division will allow her to run for office without running against any of the incumbent magistrates with whom she works every day.

Since her daughter is grown, Campbell said she has more time available for the position.

“A magistrate can be called out many times in the evening and throughout the night when on call. I did not want the level of demand on my after-work hours that magistrates have given while raising her. She was only going to be little once,” she said.

Campbell said she holds both associate and bachelor degrees from West Virginia University at Parkersburg and has served as a magistrate assistant for over two decades, which she feels has prepared her to serve as magistrate. She said she is experienced and knowledgeable in all of the services, duties, responsibilities and limitations of magistrate court, allowing for a smooth transition and more efficient service to the public.

If elected, Campbell said she will preside fairly, ethically and impartially, balancing toughness and compassion.

“In my current role of magistrate assistant, I understand magistrates cannot make or change the law or court procedures. They are sworn to uphold them, whether they agree with them or not. Magistrates are required to operate within the laws and procedures mandated by the State of West Virginia and by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals,” she said.

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Maryann

“Mur” Copeland

* Age: 51

* Residence: Vienna

* Occupation: magistrate assistant

* Past offices: none

Copeland said her knowledge of Magistrate Court has prepared her to “proficiently step in” to the position.

“As magistrate assistant for two very knowledgeable magistrates, (Donna Jackson 2011 and Joe Kuhl 2012-current) I learned the many aspects of the policies and procedures of Magistrate Court, from varying perspectives on how to preside,” she said.

“Knowing our ongoing caseload in Magistrate Court and the need for a fifth magistrate, I felt this was the best time for me to run,” Copeland said.

Copeland believes she will bring wisdom, compassion, fairness, and proficiency to this position. As a prior business owner, she has traveled to all 55 counties of West Virginia, visiting many courthouses, magistrate and circuit courts.

“As a former victim advocate (with the Wood County Prosecutor’s Office), I have worked closely with victims and know firsthand the compassion and patience needed when handling victim crimes. And now for nearly 14 years as a magistrate assistant, I have learned the West Virginia Code in depth, as well as become very familiar with the procedures of both civil and criminal cases, from start to finish,” she said.

If elected, Copeland said her primary plan is to promote a more positive experience at Magistrate Court. Those who come to the court find it can be quite stressful, uneasy or even traumatic, leaving most people with more questions than answers, she said.

“My commitment to public safety shows in my history of working with all of law enforcement, attorneys, drug programs and counselors. My goal is to be the Wood County Magistrate who is fair, hardworking, honest and compassionate; one knowledgeable of all the court processes and the laws protecting your rights; who is considerate and respectful of victims and children; and most importantly, one who is fully impartial and unbiased,” she said.

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Debbie Hendershot

* Residence: Parkersburg

* Occupation: owner of Hendershot Investigations and Bail Bonding

* Past offices: Wood County Board of Education (one-and-a-half terms)

With the fifth magistrate seat restored to deal with a large caseload, Hendershot said she “would like to assist the Magistrate Court System by being a hardworking, fair, unbiased and impartial magistrate for all Wood County citizens.

“After all, Magistrate Court is the ‘People’s Court,'” she said.

In earning associate degrees in criminal justice and business administration, Hendershot said she has learned criminal law and procedures, which will enable her to begin working as a magistrate from day one.

“With my business administration degree, I have learned how to manage people and business affairs. I also have knowledge regarding bail bonding procedures and laws, through my 24 years as a bail bondsman and criminal investigator,” she said.

Hendershot also cited her experience serving on the Wood County Board of Education where “I was tasked to make important decisions for the best interest of the public and the community.” She stepped down from that seat to run for magistrate, as board members cannot seek another office.

Changes to the magistrate court system can only be changed by the West Virginia Legislature, not by a magistrate, Hendershot said. If elected, she said she will faithfully follow the magistrate rules, the laws of West Virginia, the state constitution and the Constitution of the United States.

“I will serve my community and all of Wood County to the best of my ability by being a good listener, fair, honest, impartial, and with integrity,” she said.

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Don Lindsey

* Age: 53

* Residence: Mineral Wells

* Occupation: City of Parkersburg homeless coordinator

* Past offices: none

Lindsey said he decided to run for magistrate at this time because it is the first election since his retirement as a law enforcement officer in 2021.

“Running for magistrate is something that I have wanted to do for several years and this is my first opportunity to do so. I have chosen Wood County to be my home and have spent the last 30 years protecting it,” he said.

Lindsey is actively involved in many things in the community such as 4-H. The community has several issues it struggles with and he wants to work on addressing those.

“I also truly believe that there are many wonderful people here that are very much worth protecting and providing our community the opportunity to be prosperous and live up to their potential,” he said.

“If you want a magistrate that believes one man can make a difference, I am that man,” Lindsey said.

Lindsey cites his many years of experience, knowledge, discipline, leadership and the ability to multitask and manage time.

“I bring a strong relationship built on mutual respect and experience with the Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, the law enforcement agencies, health care providers and most importantly, this community,” he said.

While serving in the U.S. Army, Lindsey said, he learned skills that continue to serve him well. He’s worked as a corrections officer and as a police officer for 25 years, serving 12 years as an agent with the Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force. He was the commander of the Special Response Team where he planned and carried out tactical entries, conducted training and was responsible for the safety and well-being of team members.

He helped establish a response team that assists law enforcement in dealing with those that suffer from mental illness and is a member of the Wood County Drug Prevention Coalition and the Wood County Family Treatment Court.

If elected, Lindsey said he will be disciplined in both his professional career and his personal life. He wants to implement policies that help end generational dependency; disrupt the flow of narcotics into the community; lower the number of overdoses; lower the numbers of the top five most committed crimes in West Virginia (drug violations, larceny, assaults, destruction of property, and shoplifting); provide direction and guidance to those with mental illness, drug addiction and homelessness; and bridge any gaps between those in need and health care providers.

” I will implement policies for those unable to pay fines; they will do community service in this community to satisfy their obligations. I will not forget my obligation as magistrate to protect this community, ensure that justice is done and that all courtroom proceedings are not only done correctly but appear to be done correctly,” he said.

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Lisa A. Lyons

* Age: 53

* Residence: Williamstown

* Occupation: property manager and realtor

* Past offices: none

Lyons said she feels a change is needed in the area.

“I want to help the kids in our area have safer and more stable lives with less drugs. I feel with the right magistrates in office we can make a difference in our community by helping drug users get clean and become active members of society. Helping families of domestic violence feel safe. I know several victims that have been disappointed and not protected by the system. I feel we need to do better,” she said.

Lyons has been a realtor since 1993 and a property manager since 2012. She has held multiple positions in the real estate community, including president and treasurer of the Parkersburg Area Association of Realtors and president and secretary of the West Virginia Association of Realtors.

“I know the landlord-tenant laws from representing landlords in the Mid-Ohio Valley through the years. I have been a foster parent and went through the court system of protecting these children and helping them get the help they need to grow up into great young ladies and gentlemen,” she said.

If elected, Lyons said she plans on being fair while cleaning up the community through the local court system. She wants to help victims of domestic violence feel safe to go about their daily lives.

“I think kids should have a safe and healthy environment to strive in while getting the parents the help they need to get clean or the resources they need to raise their children. I know working together with our community we can all make a difference in others’ lives,” she said.

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Barry A. Murphy

* Age: 56

* Residence: Washington, W.Va.

* Occupation: youth services supervisor for Wood and Wirt County with the State of West Virginia

* Past offices: none

Murphy said throughout his career as a civil servant, he has established a record of fairness and honesty and “that is something I am very proud of and I intend to carry forward to the citizens of Wood County if I’m elected.”

He is experienced with the judicial processes and document filing requirements after 13 years working as a Wood County deputy sheriff, achieving the rank of sergeant. He has also learned about the struggles facing many children and families in the community during his time working for the State of West Virginia as a youth services supervisor.

“The years I spent working with victims of domestic violence and other violent crimes fuels my desire to work in a capacity where I can best serve those in need of justice and protection under the law,” he said.

Murphy spent time on road patrol and in the sheriff’s detective bureau and served as a crisis/hostage negotiator. As a deputy, he gained experience in various court documents and procedures including the preparation and completion of search warrants, criminal complaints, and grand jury briefs, along with time spent as a bailiff in Circuit, Magistrate and Family Court.

He also was a member of the Wood County Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction; served on the board of directors for the Court Appointed Special Advocates program; and served on the board of directors for the Parkersburg Area Homeless Coalition.

Following retirement from the sheriff’s office, he began working with children and families for the state of West Virginia. Youth Services is responsible for setting up multidisciplinary meetings and preparing detailed reports for the court.

Murphy has a bachelor’s degree focusing on psychology and business and an associate degree in criminal justice. He received certification through the West Virginia University School of Law to become a magistrate court mediator.

If elected, Murphy said he will treat every person who comes before him with respect and fairness and will handle all cases with fairness and transparency, while diligently following the West Virginia Supreme Court and Judicial Ethics Board standards.